Dear PoPville

About all the police/media outside Orbit DC on 18th Street, NW yesterday

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I saw at least half a dozen cops, including one undercover and some in bulletproof vests make a huge scene out of shutting down Orbit DC and Hip Hop Museum on 18th street today for marijuana licensing. There were maybe 8-10 vehicles, camera crews and the Commissioner of ABCA ready to give an interview right away. The entire effort seemed like a press opp.

The lovely woman who works there is a neighborhood gem and was handcuffed and taken away. I’d love to know if anyone is aware of the charges against her and if there are any efforts to support legal fees for her. I believe she’s a documented immigrant and know she has made the neighborhood safer for everyone by sitting outside, giving out dog treats, and even being a witness for a bike accident.”

From ABCA:

“Today, April 24, 2025, the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) and Metropolitan Police department closed and padlocked Orbit DC located at 1919-1921 18th Street NW marking the District Government’s 50th illegal cannabis shop closure in DC.

Illegal shop closures have taken place across the city with 17 in Ward 1, 10 in Wards 2 and 6, seven in Ward 4, three in Ward 5, and one in Wards 3, 7 and 8 each respectively. (more…)

A New Scam in Town?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I think there might be a new scam in town. Yesterday by 14th and RI around 7:30am this woman walked up to me looking flustered and said her wallet and purse were just stolen, but she had her phone. She was asking for money to get a cab to Bethesda when I said I didn’t have cash she asked if I had cash app or Zelle (which I don’t). She was very insistent that I go to an atm with her 2 blocks up and when I told her I don’t have a debit card but we should stop into one of the surrounding businesses and see if they can call her a cab she was just very insistent that I give her money and reiterated the ATM. Once I told her I didn’t have a debit card again she kind of dropped the act and said “I’ll just keep asking people” and walked away. Anyway, I just walked past her again today carrying a wad of cash but in the same dress and talking on the phone. (more…)

“Recs for yard maintenance”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by rockcreek

And speaking of spring cleaning:

“Dear PoPville,

I searched the site for landscape vendors and got a few names though the recs were from 2012, Can you post a request for recs? I’ve got a yard that needs regular grass cut and occasional yard clean up. The home is on a corner lot in Petworth.”

“heard anything about how long it is taking to get a tax refund from DC for Tax Year 2024?”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by brunofish

“Dear PoPville,

We have a simple straightforward return with normal income and deductions. Our CPA e-filed both our federal and DC tax returns on the same date of March 5, 2024.

The IRS processed our federal return in 11 days and paid the refund two days later.

The “Check the Status of My Refund” on the DC website says, (more…)

“Common Apartment Issues – weird electrical usage issues”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Tim Brown

“Dear PoPville,

I was wondering if anyone knows anything about weird electrical usage issues from an apartment building they were renting from. I’ve been having these issues since the beginning of the year and it doesn’t seem like my insanely high bills are associated with the Pepco electrical charge increase – I don’t even have my AC/heater units on.

My apartment is only 650 sqft, Jan was over 300x more than last year, and every subsequent month has been 100-200x more. All that without having the AC/heater running since the cold snaps in January…”

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